Recital 23

Without prejudice to the right of customers to bring their action before the courts, Member States should encourage public or private bodies established with a view to settling disputes out-of-court, to cooperate in resolving cross-border disputes. Such cooperation could for example be aimed at enabling customers to contact extra-judicial bodies established in their Member State of residence about complaints concerning insurance intermediaries established in other Member States. The setting up of the FIN-NET network provides increased assistance to consumers when they use cross-border services. The provisions on procedures should take into account Commission Recommendation 98/257/EC of 30 March 1998 on the principles applicable to the bodies responsible for out-of-court settlement of consumer disputes(7).disputes ( 7 ).